Always be truthful with others, even when it lands you in trouble. Lying is almost always the wrong thing to do, especially when you lie for your own gain. If you’re worried honesty might hurt someone’s feelings, it may be best to say nothing at all. Excuse yourself by saying something like, “I don’t think I’m the best person to give an opinion on _____. " Living honestly includes being honest with yourself at all times. Check in with your thoughts/feelings, acknowledge how you feel, and be aware of how those feelings influence your behavior. [2] X Research source
Try to be understanding of how others feel. If someone did a poor job at work, for example, consider that they might be having an exceptionally bad day. Be kind to other people, even in minor ways. For example, when you go to the store, ask the hard-working cashier how their day is going, and wish them a good rest of the day. Help others whenever possible. You can do this through acts of charity, or by simply offering a helping hand to someone in need at work or on the street.
Write out your goals and your values. Think hard about what kind of person you want to be and what you hope to achieve in your lifetime. Commit to developing yourself in meaningful ways. Remember that personal transformation takes a lot of work and dedication. The goal of your mission statement should be to provide you with guidance on a day-to-day basis. Whenever you feel lost or uncertain, your mission statement should help ground you. These statements should not be something you have to make up on the spot. Even if you’ve never articulated them, you should have a clear understanding of what guides you in life. Keep this list hung in a place you’ll see every day. Stop and take a moment each day to ask yourself whether you’re behaving in a way that will help you live out your statement.
Focus on what matters most to you. Let the things that are important to you determine how you treat others and how you live your life. Never compromise your values. Anything that is truly a personal value to you will not be compromised because it’s convenient.
Think about what you are most passionate about. This can be derived from your moral, ethical, spiritual, or artistic values, or it may simply be based on an injustice that you believe needs to be corrected. The things that are most important to you may be rooted in your life, your community, or the world as a whole. However, it’s easiest to implement changes if you focus your efforts on what you can do locally. It may be helpful to remember the popular phrase, “Think globally and act locally. " Let your cause be of interest to others, but work on affecting change at home before you expand outward.
If your cause is important to you because a given change would make life better for you, you may not be thinking outwardly enough. However, that isn’t necessarily an absolute. For example, you may be motivated to raise awareness of cancer and organize donations for cancer research because a family member was afflicted by the disease. This is still community-oriented and does not serve to gain you personally, so it is a cause with great integrity.
Monetary donations are always helpful to existing (and legitimate) nonprofit organizations. Just make sure your money is going to actually help further the cause by asking how donations are spent. Search online for an organization to volunteer with. You can spend your time helping social, civic, environmental, cultural, and educational causes while also improving your community. [6] X Research source If an organization does not yet exist for your cause, start one! You can find some helpful information on starting a nonprofit organization by browsing through the National Council of Nonprofits’ website, or by reaching out to your state association of nonprofits. [7] X Research source
If you’re sacrificing your values in favor of an easy gain, you’re not adhering to those values. Your values should guide your efforts to help the cause you’ve chosen. Make sure you live with purpose and dedication.
There is no absolute meaning to life. Every person creates meaning from their own lives. Life means something different to everyone. [8] X Research source The meaning of your life should be what you believe your life is ultimately building towards. Do you want to dedicate your life solely to getting rich, or do you believe life should include helping others in some way? You may find that living a life of integrity and strong moral character can give life meaning in itself. However, this is something that only you can decide for yourself. If you believe religion can help you find your purpose in life, then pursue it. Find a religion that speaks to you, do some research online, and join a congregation near you.
Be honest and critical in your assessment. If there’s room for improvement, acknowledge it. If you haven’t been living in a way that serves your purpose, that’s okay. The important thing is recognizing this and making changes going forward. If you currently spend any of your time, money, or efforts thinking about or actively working towards your identified purpose in life, then you’re already on your way to living with meaning.
Focus on your senses. Think about the way things look, sound, smell, feel, and taste, and try to be aware of your reaction to all of that sensory information. Concentrate on your breath. Breathing mindfully, being aware of the sensation of each inhalation and exhalation, can help you remain focused and in the present moment. Try meditation. Meditating, whether through mindful breathing or mantra recitation, can help you gain a deeper awareness of your thoughts and your actions every day. Consider exploring religion. Not everyone needs religion, but many people find it gives their lives greater purpose and a sense of morality. You can find meditation and mindfulness classes in your community by searching online. You can also find information about religious organizations near you by searching the internet or by talking to practitioners you know.
